2025届湖北省武昌区高三下学期5月质量检测英语试题

武昌区2025届高三年级5月质量检测 第二节（共15小题：每小题15分，满分225分》 所下面5段对话或读白，每段对话域验白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A,B.C三 英语 个选项中逢出最佳选项，听每段对话或独白前，你将行时同间读各个小题，每小避5秒钟， 所完后，各小恩将给出5修钟的作答时间，每段对话或独白读两遍， 本试题春共12面，典67随。满分150分，考或用120分钟。 听第6授材料，回答第6至7题 在意事谓： 6.What is the probable relationship between the speakers? 1,答题前，考生券必将自己的姓名、准考证号填写在芬题十指定位重。 A.Mocher and son. B.Fellow engineers. C.Teacher and student. 2,回答选择题时。选出华小通茶案后。用铅笔把等题卡上时良题的答素标号涂黑。 7.What happened when the man used his invention? 如需改动，用惊发擦解干净后，再选涂其他答紫标专。四答非选样题时，样答索写在答想 A.It spread butter on toast 卡上。写在本试卷上无故， B.It mixed butter with jam. 3.考就体来后，将本试区和器题卡一异交回， C.It dropped butter anto the floor. 第一部分听力（共两节。满分30分） 听第7我材料，回答第8至10题 做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答 8.What is the woman doing? 案特涂到答题卡上。 A.Offering advice. B.Learning a habit. C.Sitting an exa值 第一节（共5小题：每小题15分，满分75分） 9.What does the woman usually do to reduce stress before exams? 所下面5段对话，每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B,C三个选项中选出 A.Organize revision materals. 最佳选项，听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来日答有关小题和阅读下一小题，每 B.Set up a timetable for study. 段对话仪读一遍。 C.Create a quiet learing space. 1.What concers the man? A.A speech. B.An exam. 10.What does the woman remind the man to的i与g? C.A meeting. A.Avoid entertainment.B.Have a good sleep. C.Think differently 2.What are the speakers mainly talking about? A.A guest lis城. B.The choice of gifts 听第8授材科，网答第11至3题. C.Their wedding anniversary. 11.Which place was Polly's last destination? A.Sicily. B.Tunisia. C.Malta. 3.Where does the conversation take place? A.At home. B.In a car. C.In a elassroom 12.Why did Polly want to visit Mdina? 4.What did the woman think of today's nuusic lesson? A.To see the ancient ruins. A.It was hard. B.To see the famous streets. B.It was annoying. C.To sce a TV show location C.It was enjoyable. 13.What does Polly think of Tunisia? 5.How much did Michael spend on dinner last night A.It has great food. A.20 B.s40 C.s60 B.It is a small place. C.It has a mix of cultures. 高三年级英语试卷第1页共12页 高三年级莫语试卷第2页共2页 听第9段材种，国茶第14至17题 Maintenance and Cleaning 14.Who is the woman? Maintaining your properties in excellent condition is crucial for guest satisfaction.Establish A.A writer. B.A publisher. C.A radio bost. a regular maintenance schedule and work with reliable contractors for repairs and cleaning 15.What style of comic does Jin Oka probably write? servicex. A.Japanesc. B.American. C.Chinese. Guest Communication and Service 16.Which charncter does Jin Oka like best? Exceptional guest communication is essential for huilding strong relationships and positive A.Spider-Man. B.Iron Man C.Batman. reviews.Provide guests with a welcome guide with essential information about the property and 17.What will the speakers do first? local area and actively seck guest feedhack to identify areas for improvement and showease A.Read a comic book.B.Rest for a while C.Watch a vidco. positive reviews. Marketing and Promotion 听第0？材料，司答第18至20题。 Effective marketing and promotion are cructal for attracting guess and filling your vacation 18.W可y is the speaker四ving this speech? rentals.Use social media platforms to showease your properties and engge with potential guests A.To give an annual report. and create valuable content,such as blog posts and videos,that provides informstion and B.To make an election speech. inspiration to travelers, C.To raise money for senior citizens. Legal and Finaneial Comsiderations 19.What were the speaker's grandparents most likely? Understanding the legal and financial aspects of vacation rental management is essential for A.Farmers protecting your business and ensuring abservance.Familiarize yourself with local regulations B.Programmers. and obtain necessary licenses ar permits. C.City construction workers. Are you ready to take your vacation rental property management business to the next level? 20.What is the plan for seniors this year? Contsct us today to leam how our expert team can help you improve your operations,attract A.Building hospitals more guests,and increase your eamings.Together,we can unlock the fuall potential of your B.Creating community centers. vacatian rental properties and create a thrving business that you'll love! C.Volunteering in poorer districts 21.What does a welcome guide for guests probably include? 第二部分：阀凄（共两节，满分50分） A.Positive reviews B.Local tourist attractions 第一节（共15小题：每小题2.5分，满分375分） C.Maintenance schedules. D.Areas for improvement. 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个这项(A,B,C和D)中，迹出最佳速项， 22.What should be done to safeguard a vacation rental business? 并在答题卡上将该项涂佩。 A.Keeping properties clean. B.Booding with the guests A C.Creating posts and videos. D.Observing local regulations. Welome to the ultimate guide to vacation rental property management!As the world of 23.Who is the passage intended for? travel evolves,vacation rentals have become increasingly popular.offering travelers a unique A.Property owners. B.Management companies. way to experience their destinations Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, C.Vacation renters. D.Maintenance contractors. this guide will help you manage your vacation rentals effectively. 高三年级英语试卷第3页共12页 高三年级英语试套第4页共12页 B 26.What makes Agujas de oro highly valued? In a working-class neighborhood on the south side of El Paso,the tap.tap.tap of lose A.Their reliance an mass production. Cuntreras'hammer f)echoes from inside the blue warebouse on Coton Street.Nearby. B.Their contribution to reduced costs. Victor Rodriguez namows his eyes as he gently moves one side of a boot top bencath the ncedle C.Their preference for famous clicnts. of an antique Singer sewing machine,creating a fame-shaped stitch (in clean white D.Their commitment to traditional skilis. thread. 27.What is Jose Sanchez's attitude towards the future of shoemakers? "These guys are some of the best in the world,"sys Joey Sanchez,owner of the boot A.Hopeful B.Pessimistic company CABOOTS.whose family has employed Contreras and Rodriguez for more than 30 C.Excilod. D.Unconcered. years But when he looks around the timy shop on Cotto Street,he ean't help but remember the way it used to be."When I was a kid.this place was loaded with bootmakers"he says. C recalling the noise created by their hammers.sanders,and sewing machines. Today.Contreras and Rodriguez aren't just the only bootmakers in the shop-even in People have been enjoying staring ou of the window of the plane for a spectacular view for their early 60s.they're among the youngest bootmakers left in the business.There's a name for over a century.That's why you may be surprised to leam that for decades,aircraft designers have eraftsmen like them,according to Sanchex.Agujas de oro,or Golden Needies.are artisans who been considering planes with video screens instead of passenger windows. still know how to make boots the old-fashicned way.Many have been doing it since they were In 2014.for example.the UK-based Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)uncovered a kids,growing up near the United States-Mexico border. design for such a windowiess airliner.In 2022,Dubai-hased airline Emirates released Boeing As hig boot companies tumed to technology to streamline production and reduce coss, 777s equipped with"virtual windows".But Emirates has no plan for a windowless airliner. producers in El Paso-where celebrities like Taylor Swift still arrive to pick out their flashy However.an aircraft producer does aim to go windowless.For the past few years.a fooewear-are struggling to replace these artisans when they retire or pass away.In fact, privately owned Boston-based company.Spike Aerospace.has been working to develop Agujas de oro are in such high demand around the Texas border town that many of them work at the Spike S-512.an 18-passenger business jet.Instead of usual small glass windows.there will more than one shop. be a pair of 20-foot-long (6.096-meter)digital video screens that will stretch the length of the "Shoemakers are a dying group."Jose Sanchez says.nodding toward Rodriguez and eabin (an either side of the aircraft.Multiple high definition cameras on the outside of the Contreras,each preoccupied by the bit of leather in their hands."You just can't find guys like plane will provide 4K video,which the aircraft will sew together.using special software these anymore.All the stuff they do by hand.other people do with machines.But machines just developed by Spike Acrospace. dn1的it as well." "Removing conventional glass windows from planes has other advantages as well."Spike Acrospace president and CEO Vik Kachoria says.For example,it would be possible to redoce 24.What is the main purpose of the second paragraph? noise from the engines.It also would strengthen the aircraft and make it safer."Wherever you A.To highlight the decline of bootmaking. have a hole is a structural weakness,"he said.If passengers are not interested in the view.they B.To intruduee Joey Sanchez's childhood. also will be able to use the screens to do other things.You can watch videos or even get hands on C.To showease bootmaking techniques. D.To describe the work environment. office software. 25.Why are Coetreras and Rodriguez called"among the youngest"in their field? Kachoria envisions delivering the first jet without passenger windows in 2025.Initially. A.They adopted new techniques only people wealthy emough to afford a private jet will be able to enjoy Spike Aerospace's H.They started boot-making late. windowless fying experience.But Kachoria expects that the innovative technology eventually C.Most artisans have retired or died. will find its way into regular airliners as well. D.The boot shop hired senior craftsmen 高三年级英语试卷第5重共12重 高三年级英语试卷第6页共12页 28.Why are CPl and Emirates mentioned! involving jodging object size and orientation,and navigating,virtual webs using simulated A.To demonstrate their market dominance. click-plus-echo sounds ticd to their pooitions Both groups impruved on all the tasks."This study B.To compare ditferent aircraft technologies. significantly contrbutes to a growing body of evidence that this is a trainable,ordinary skill C.To show carly efforts for windowless planes. available t both hlind and sighted people."says Santani Teng,a psychologist. D.To explain the challenges of windo less design. After training,both groups showed increased auditory(f危的)cortex activa时ion and 29.What is the main focus about Spike S-512 in Paragraph 3? higher gray matter density auditory areas.Most surprisingly,they also showed visual core A.Its size. B.Its design. activation in response to echoes."We weren't sure if we would get this resul n sighted people. C.Its prodacer D.Its construction. so it was reaily rewarding to see it."Thaler says She suspects that rather than just processing 30.What is spocial about Spike Acrospace's digital video screens? visual data,this brain arca takes in information from multiple senses that aid spatial A.They reduce engine notse levels. nderstanding. B.They display exterior landscapes. A follow-up survey found that 83 percent of blind participants reported improved C.They remove structural weakness. mdependence and well-being The rescarchers are working to spread the training more widely as D.They enable document processing a powerful sensory tool for people with vision damage. 31.What's Kachoria's hope for the windowless aircraft? A.It will upgrade flying expenence. 32.The underlined word"neuroplasticity"in Para.2 refers 1o the brain's B.It will accomodate more passengers A.control of body movements C.It will be accessible to general puble B.resistance to exteral changes D.It will go into mass production in 2025. C.enhanoement of old memorves D.adjustment of its own structure a 33.What does the study's key finding shon? Human echolocation(回声定位)has at times allowed people to ride bikes or play A.Fcholocation is inbom. basketball despite being completely blind from a very young age.They typically perceive B.Sensory loss isn't required environment by clicking sharply with their tongues and listening to differences in the souds C Sighted people don't benefit. reflected off objects. D.Auditary cortex plays a key rok. Brain-imging studies reveal that expert echolocators display responses to sound in their 34.How does the visual cortex respond to ecbolocation training? brain's primary visual region,possibly becauise long-term input disadvantage leads to visual A.It pnoritizes aoditory inpul regions being repurposed "It's traditionally thought that the blind brain is different and roquires B.I processes sound and space sensory loss for this neplasticity,"says neuroscientist Lore Thaler. C.It increases gray matler density. Thaler co-led a 2021 study showing that both blind and sighted people could karn D.It functions differently in both groups. echolocation in 10 weeks.They examined the brain changes underlying these abilities.After 35.What would be the best title for the leat? raining.both displayed responses0 echoes in their visual corte%(大薪皮尽人finding that A.Echolocation Training Rewires Visual Cortex. challenges the belief that primary sensory regions are wholly sense-spoeifie. B.Sensory Loss Activates Brain Flexibility. The researchers trained 14 sighted and 12 blind peuple for two to three huurs twice a week. C.Suund-hased Training Helps the Blind They stared by teaching participants to produce mouth clicks.then trained them on three tasks D.Echolocation Cures Vision Problems. 高三年极英语以卷第7负共12到 高三年极莫语试香第8爽共12氧 第二节（共5小题1每小题25分。满分12.5分） 第三部分：语言加识（共两节，满分30分） 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多 第一节：完形填空（共15小题：每小题1分，满分15分） 余达项 阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B,C和D)中，选出可以填入空 Even as a child,I was always goal-directed.Every January Ist,I would dutifully sit 白处的最住选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。 down and write out my resolutions for the upcoming year:lose 50 pounds.run a marathon. As the music played,we retured to our positions.Our teacher made the dance look so have a picture-perfect home!Oh,and be the best parent ever who never yelled at my children! 41 as she demonstrated it -every step and gesture flowed naturally with the music and 16 By every March,I fall trapped in a cyele of ambition and guilt. she looked confident.Once she finished the42.she told us,"It's your time to43!" Everything changed when I faced consistent battles with breast and appendix cancer. Over the course of four months,we practised for our final performance.Thinking of standing That's right:two different cancers.with two different treatment plans.at the same time.in the onstage gave me instant 44-who would want to be stared at by a crowd? same body.37 And I won't lie -the next year was incredibly difficult In the beginning.we felt 45 and determined even after hours of dancing.We'd even Experiencing dual treatments taught me profound kessoms.38 Simply waking grab drinks together after class and 46our oan performance.finding the good and bad. up cancer-free became my definition of triumph.Where I once measured sceess by completed However,afier a couple of weeks,our 47 weren't the same as before -what were ooce checklists.I now found victory in my children's laughter or sunlight filtering through hospital elegant and dynamic now lacked liveliness.Some of the classmates 48.Thinking it over,I decided to still use the course as a49 of improving -I'd never danced and had much blinds. to learn It was 50 for me to danoe as well as the teacher,so my 51 seemed simple: I abandoned traditional resolutions by realizing that big goals invite big failures.Instead.I practising and losing myself in the dance. adopied a"mini-mission"approach.39 For example,rather than aiming for daily On the performance day,I 52 the way my teacher attracted me that first day.Holding gym marathons.I committed to 20-minute walks three times weekly. on to that flashback,I entered the stage.I oouldn't see the audience through the 53 lights, The magic lies in accumulated progress.After mastering basic nutrition goals (five feeling less afraid.With the performance unfolding.I had no other 54.absorbed in the vegetable servings daily).I added hydration targets (replacing soda with herbal tea).This beat and dancing I succeeded.And I knew at that moment,I'd 55 others,too. gradual method even helped me conquer the fearful rowing machine一afeM《壮#)Td 41.A.familiar B.easy C.fresh D.spocial previously considered impossible. 42.A.lessoa B.challenge C.trial D.presentation 40一My only“resoluion”last year was avoiding medical ded山：tibs(免暗额】 43.A.shine B.comment C.compete D.ask through sustained small health habits.To my delight,it worked-not through extreme 44.A.expectation B.fright C.imagination D.cunosity measures,but through the snowball eflect of mini-achievements. 45.A.respected B.understood C.energized D.valued 46.A overstate B.compare C.ignore D.evaluate A.it was a lot to deal with 47.A potentials B.passions C.movements D.moods B.Immediate results often mask long-term costs. 48.A.quit B.burt C.noticed D.improved 49.A.symbol B.chance C.Survival reshaped my understanding of success. C.honor D.interpretation 50.A.one-sided B.time-coasuming C.unusaal D.impractical D.Extemal pressures weaken self-improvement efforts. 51.A.change B.goal C.excuse D.action E.Tiny achievable steps replaced monumental demands 52.A.recalled B.copied C.appreciated D.adjusted F.Piled accomplishments build sustainable transtormation. 53.A.soft B.natural C.blinding D.varied G.In practical terms,my grand plans frequently backfire psychologically. 54.A.tasks B.partners C.choices D.thoughts 55.A.approved of B.called on C.appealed to D.stood for 高三年领英语试卷第9页共12页 高三年领英语试卷第10页共12页 第二节（共10题：每小显15分，满分15分） 第二节（满分25分） 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)威括号内单可的止确形式： 便读下面材料。根据其内容和所拾段落开头语续写两段，使之成为一首完整的超文。 A Chinese roboties start-up shares a film of sts productn facility on its official website. Mrs.Parker threw a hall aeross the yard.and her dog raced after it.Donovan.a neighbor which reportedly55 (produce)at least 962 humanoid robots so far.In57 pulling weeds nearby,smiled as he watched their playfal interactions.Mrs.Parker.though 4:02.mimute video,it showeases vmrious stages of the robutic production line at its Lingang always sitting in a wheekchair after a strok (was beloved in the neighborhood for her Fengian factory in Shanghai.58 features self-made humanoid robots working alongside funny stories and kindness.Her dog was like a pet to everyone. human workers.Moreover.the company has established59i calls a"data collection Suddenly,the ball bounced and rolled into the sreet.At that exact moment,a truck swung factory"for real-world data gathering including training scenarios such as folding clothes. around the comer and hit the dog.leaving him seriously injured.Liz,Mrs.Parker's daaghter. organizing.cleaming and doing the laundry. and the driver rushed the dog o the aiml hospital immediately. Industry observer Hong Shaodun notes that humanoi mobots have evolved from laboratory Waiting nervously for news about the dog.Dooovan offered to help ou with Mrs.Parker prototypes(象整)o substaintial preducts,60一this year's robot心emtering a phase of while Liz was at the hospital.Late that evening.Liz retumed with depressing news:the dog increased intelligence and versatility(多功能)，6L(compare)with other global would recover,but the vet bill was $2000-money they didn't have. competitors.China 62(position)hetter to achieve higher output of humanoid robots at Donovan wanted to help but only had $17 saved for a cookbook as he had become lower costs.Meanwhile.Chinese companies excel6(particular)in motion control and fascinated with cooking lately.What else could he do?The qucstion stuck in his mind all the exploration of advanced Al models.Hong also mentions the focus for next year in this through the night and the next day at school.When he got home.he noticed the delicious smell industry will be on expanding practical applications in specifie scenarios.However,the of his own cooking-a pot of stew (he had prepared carlier.He tasted it and thought. industry insider points out that achieving rapid breakthroughs in a short time remains quite 64(demand)due to technical hurdles,such as 65 (efficient)and stability issues "Maybe I could bring some to Mrs.Parker.Liz must be too busy to cook right now." When Donovan entered Liz's kitchen,he was stunned hy the scene.It seemed as if all theit that need to be addressed neighbors had sent food.He stopped to cbeck on Mrs.Parker,who assured him."I'm fine,just 第四部分：写作（共两节：满分40分） worried about the dog's vet bill.Anyway.what did you hring over,dear? 第一节（满分15分） -Stew,"Donovan replied,squeezing his bowl in between two dishes."But I think you have 假如你是李华，你的美国用友6h加对你好上离举行的心理健膜货会很经兴匣。请拾 awide menu to choose from tonight.I haven't seen that many dishes since the school's potluck 他国复套件，内容包括 (百家饭)sppt 1.晓会过程： 注意： 2,你的感受 1镜写词数应为150左右： 挂量： 2,请拔如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。 1,写作词数应为0左右： 2请拔如下格式在答题卡的和克位置作答， Ah!Potluck!A brillant idea struack him Dear John. The day of the potluck fiandraising fair came. Yours. Li Hun 高三午缕黄语试卷第11项共12夏 高三年缓英请试卷第2页共12剪武昌区 2025届高三上学期期末测试英语参考答案 第一部分 听力（共 20 小题，每小题 1.5 分 满分 30 分） 1-5 ABBCC 6-10 ACABB 11-15 ACCCB 16-20 CBAAB 第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分 50 分） 第一节（共 15 小题：每小题 2.5 分，满分 37.5 分） A 篇： 21 -23 BDA B 篇： 24-27 ACDB C 篇： 28-31 CBDC D 篇： 32-35 DBBA 第二节（共 5 小题：每小题 2.5 分，满分 12.5 分） 36 –40 GACEF 第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节， 满分 30 分） 第一节 完形填空（共 15 小题：每小题 1 分，满分 15 分） 41- 45 BDABC 46-50 DCABD 51-55 BACDC 第二节 英语知识运用（共 10 小题：每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分） 56. has produced 57.the 58.which 59.what 60.with 61. Compared 62. is positioned 63. particularly 64. demanding 65. efficiency 第四部分 写作（共两节，满分 40 分） 第一节 （满分 15 分） Dear John, I’m excited to tell you about our recent class meeting about mental health — it was truly inspiring! The session began with an educational video about stress management techniques. We then broke into small groups to discuss personal challenges and healthy coping mechanisms. The most impactful moment came when we exchanged anonymous notes of encouragement, which created such a supportive atmosphere. This experience really opened my eyes to the importance of mental well-being. Discovering that my classmates face similar struggles made me feel less alone, and we all gained practical tools for maintaining emotional balance. Does your school organize similar wellness activities? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Yours, Li Hua 第二节：（满分 25 分） Ah! Potluck! A brilliant idea struck him. Donovan wasted no time. The next morning, he knocked on every door in the neighborhood, explaining his idea: a community potluck fundraiser where everyone would bring a dish, and neighbors could donate what they could in exchange for a meal. Word spread quickly. The response was overwhelming. Neighbors volunteered to cook, decorate, and even perform music. The whole community rallied together, eager to help Mrs. Parker and the dog. They set the event for Saturday in Mrs. Parker’s backyard — the heart of the neighborhood. The day of the potluck fundraising fair came. Tables were piled high with homemade dishes. Laughter filled the air. Mrs. Parker entertained everyone with her funniest stories and Donovan served his delicious stew. A donation jar sat at the entrance, and by the end of the night, it was overflowing with cash — more than enough to cover the dog’s bill and even some extra for his follow-up care. Mrs. Parker wiped away a tear and hugged Donovan tightly. “You’re a true hero, my boy.” Donovan smiled, feeling a warm sense of pride. The neighborhood had shown just how much they cared, and Donovan realized the neighborhood wasn’t just a place where people lived but a family. 听力稿 [text 1] W: Congratulations on your exam results, Jordan! You came top of the class. M: Thanks very much! Yes, I'm really pleased. However, I was just called to the headteacher’s office, and she said I now have to speak at the end-of-term meeting. I'm so nervous. I hate public speaking! [text 2] M: Our wedding is just around the corner. Have you thought about the gifts for the guests? W: Yes, I’m considering keychains with lovely animal patterns. M: Good idea. I was thinking of maybe candles or small potted plants, but keychains are a good idea. [text 3] M: You have been driving so well recently. I think you are ready to take your test. W: Oh, brilliant, I’m so glad you think so. When I get home, I’ll get online to book the test. Hopefully, they can fit me in sometime after school next week. [text 4] W: It rained really hard today. There was a hole in our classroom window, and drops of rain kept falling on the metal handle. M: I bet that was annoying. W: Actually, it made the music lesson fun, because the sound the raindrops made was the perfect beat to our song! [text 5] M: We split the bill equally at dinner last night. There were six of us, and the total came to $240. W: That sounds fair. M: Yes, and Michael gave the waiter a generous extra $20 tip. [text 6] M: I’ve always wanted to help you with the housework. W: Oh, you’re so sweet, dear. M: So I’ve invented a machine that will take all the stress out of making breakfast. W: What is it? M: It’s called the“Butter Spreader”. I designed it in the engineering class. It’s a knife attached to a motor that automatically spreads butter on toast. Of course, it can spread jam too — or butter and jam. My teacher said it was very unique. W: Sounds interesting! M: Here it is. Watch how it is used. W: Oh dear, is the butter supposed to be thrown onto the floor like that? M: No. Perhaps I need to make some changes… [text 7] W: Hey, are you feeling stressed about the upcoming exams? M: Yeah, I certainly am. I don’t know how to handle it. I just feel worried all the time. W: Well, one thing that I find helps me is creating a study schedule. It keeps me organized and reduces last-minute revision. M: That’s a very good idea. I tend to always leave everything until the last minute. It’s a bad habit. W: Also, don’t forget to take breaks. It’s essential to recharge and prevent yourself from being too tired. M: I tend to study for hours without breaks. Maybe that’s why I get so stressed. W: And lastly, get a good night’s sleep before the exams. It can make a huge difference to your performance. M: Yes, that’s definitely something I need to do. Thanks for the tips. I’ll give them a try. [text 8] M: Hey Polly, how was your trip to Malta? W: It wasn’t just Malta. We started in Tunisia, then sailed across to Malta, and then ended up in Sicily, which is only 50 miles away. M: But Malta was the main part of the holiday, wasn’t it? W: Yes, and it was incredible, better than I expected. The scenery was breathtaking. M: That sounds amazing. What did you do there? W: Everything, probably, because it is such a small place. M: So you saw the ancient ruins and the famous streets in Valletta? W: We certainly did, and one thing we couldn’t miss was the city of Mdina because the TV show Game of Thrones was filmed there. M: Oh yes, I forgot about that. Any memorable experiences? W: Well, I wish we could have spent longer in Tunisia exploring. Its culture is highly diverse. M: How about Sicily? What was that like? W: Well, I’d been to Italy before, so I knew what to expect. But it was beautiful and the food was out of this world. [text 9] W: Hello, and welcome to another edition of“Ask the Writer”, the show that puts your questions to members of the writing world. Today’s guest is Jin Oka, who has been writing comics for more than twenty years. It’s good to have you on the show, Jin. M: It’s good to be here. W: Jin, you were originally from Japan and moved to America when you were ten years old. You began selling your story ideas to comic publishers when you were just thirteen, so you weren’t in America that long before making an impression. M: Yes, that’s right. I had grown up reading Japanese Manga comics but soon turned to Marvel and DC, which are both American comic publishers. When my dad got a job in New York, honestly, I was so excited, and I got into writing immediately. W: Great stuff. Okay, let’s go to our listeners’ questions. The first one is from Chen who lives in Wuhan, China. She asks, “Who is your favorite superhero?” M: Ooh, great question! I fell in love with characters like Spider-Man, Superman, and the Hulk from an early age, but the coolest superhero is probably Batman. W: He’s great, though Iron Man is my particular favorite! Keep listening, because after the break we’ll ask Jin about his new YouTube channel for comic lovers. Don’t go away! [text 10] Good evening to the citizens of this nation. Each New Year’s Eve, I stand before you to address the topics that concern our country. Today, I first want to discuss our aging population and climate change. And lastly, I’ll discuss this year’s remarkable achievements both within our country and worldwide. In many countries, including ours, there are a growing number of senior citizens compared to the younger generation. This shift is because, in the past, we needed a larger population to build farms, factories, and cities. Like many of you, my family’s older generations worked in agriculture and food production. However, as our economy becomes more advanced and our quality of life improves, people tend to have fewer children. So, it’s our duty as a nation to support our elderly citizens who have made great contributions to the growth of our country. They worked hard, raised families, and helped build the foundation of our successful society. Our aging society represents our progress, but it also brings challenges. Last year, we created programs for quality health care. And now, we’ll begin our programs for creating community buildings. There, we’ll have volunteer programs where young people can help and support seniors. And together, we will build a better future for every generation, young and old.